Android Auto users have barely recovered from months of continuous issues, and now the system is glitching again. Just weeks after Google pushed an update to fix previous disconnection problems, version 17.2.662404 is causing frequent crashes and random disconnections, making the platform nearly unusable. Reports are flooding Reddit and official forums, with users describing frustrating experiences while driving.
Frequent disconnections and sudden crashes
According to reports, after updating to build 17.2, Android Auto disconnects from the phone every few minutes, interrupting navigation and music playback. Some users report that the crash occurs as soon as audio starts playing, suggesting a potential conflict with audio codecs or resource management. Google has not yet issued an official statement, but the situation closely mirrors the bugs seen in March, when a previous update introduced similar issues. As happened with the Wi-Fi 7 routers tested in February, which did not support true simultaneous MLO, expectations of reliability are once again dashed.
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A recurring problem after March's fix
In March, Google finally resolved a series of disconnections that had plagued users for weeks, but the relief was short-lived. Now, just a few months later, the bug-fix cycle seems endless. The community suspects that the new CarPlay-inspired interface, still in development, may have introduced regressions in the code. However, the problem could be deeper, linked to changes in Google Play Services or device compatibility. Meanwhile, drivers using Android Auto face safety risks as the system freezes while on the road.
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How to mitigate the problem while waiting for a fix
In the absence of an official fix, some users suggest uninstalling Android Auto updates and reverting to the previous version, or clearing the app's data. Others recommend avoiding audio playback through third-party apps and sticking to Spotify or YouTube Music. Google has announced a complete redesign for 2027, but for now drivers must cope with an unstable system. The hope is that Mountain View will release an urgent patch, as it did in the past for the Wi-Fi 7 router issue. In the meantime, it is advisable to monitor official channels and report the bug via the Feedback app. For more context on recent tech failures, see the Wikipedia page for Android Auto.
Source: https://www.androidauthority.com/android-auto-crashing-again-3684309
